Singular ‘They’: Inclusive Academic Writing

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association – 7th Edition – 9781433832178

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The Singular ‘They’ in Academic Writing: A Shift Towards Inclusivity

In the ever-evolving landscape of academic writing, adherence to grammatical correctness and inclusivity are paramount. The APA Style, among other style guides, has recognized and embraced the use of the singular ‘they’ as a legitimate and valuable tool. This shift reflects a growing understanding and acceptance of diverse gender identities and a commitment to avoiding gender assumptions in writing.

Understanding the Singular ‘They’

The singular ‘they’ refers to the use of the pronouns ‘they,’ ‘them,’ ‘their,’ ‘theirs,’ and ‘themselves’ to refer to a single person. This usage is primarily employed in two scenarios:

1. When referring to a person who uses ‘they’ as their pronoun: This acknowledges and respects an individual’s self-identified gender identity.
2. As a generic third-person singular pronoun when gender is unknown or irrelevant: This allows writers to avoid making assumptions about gender when it is not pertinent to the context.

As the excerpt highlights: “Writers should always use the singular ‘they’ to refer to a person who uses ‘they’ as their pronoun (see Section 5.5 for more on gender and pronoun usage). Also use ‘they’ as a generic third-person singular pronoun to refer to a person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant to the context of the usage.”

Evolution of Acceptance

Historically, the use of the singular ‘they’ was often discouraged in academic writing. However, this perspective has undergone a significant transformation. The excerpt notes that: “Although usage of the singular ‘they’ was once discouraged in academic writing, many advocacy groups and publishers have accepted and endorsed it, including Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (Merriam-Webster, n.d.-b).” This endorsement from reputable sources signifies a widespread acceptance of the singular ‘they’ as grammatically sound and socially responsible.

Benefits of Using the Singular ‘They’

The adoption of the singular ‘they’ offers several advantages:

• Inclusivity: It ensures that writing is inclusive of all people, regardless of their gender identity. The text explicitly states: “The use of the singular ‘they’ is inclusive of all people…”
• Avoiding Assumptions: It helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender, which can be inaccurate and potentially offensive. The excerpt highlights that it “helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender…”
• Adherence to Style Guides: It aligns with contemporary style guides such as APA Style, demonstrating a commitment to current best practices in writing. The text confirms that it “is part of APA Style.”

Correct Usage Examples

The excerpt provides several examples of how to correctly use the singular ‘they’:

• “Each participant turned in their questionnaire.”
• “Jamie shared their experiences as a genderqueer person.”
• “A child should learn to play by themselves [or themself] as well as with friends.”

It’s important to note that both “themselves” and “themself” are acceptable, although “themselves” is currently more common. The excerpt clarifies: “The variant ‘themself’ is also acceptable because the referent is clearly singular, although ‘themselves’ is currently the more common usage.”

Conclusion

The acceptance and endorsement of the singular ‘they’ in academic writing reflect a broader societal shift towards inclusivity and respect for diverse gender identities. By embracing this usage, writers can ensure that their work is both grammatically correct and socially responsible, contributing to a more inclusive and understanding academic environment. It is important to note the proper usage of the singular ‘they’ requires the use of the forms “they,” “them,” “their,” “theirs,” and “themselves.”

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